Universal Music Posts Record Revenue for 2021 as Streaming and Vinyl Soar

Ellise Shafer Jack Antonoff is the world’s top music producer, according to Jaxsta’s inaugural list of the 100 most successful producers in the business.Jaxsta, the world’s largest public database of music credits, determined the list by analyzing statistics provided by record labels, publishers, distributors, industry associations and charts from the period of March 2021 to February 2022. Jaxsta’s weighted algorithm calculated each producers’ chart performance, Grammy wins and nominations, Spotify streams, RIAA certifications and number of total credits to determine the world’s 100 most successful producers.

Editor’s note: The Deadline Watchlist is a feature spotlighting small-screen specials, events and can’t-miss episodes of ongoing series each week. 1. Oscars: After three years without a host, the Academy Awards are tripling down with Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, and Regina Hall set to take the stage and guide the 94th Oscar show which is promising to be one of the most entertaining ever, including musical performances from Beyonce, Reba McEntire, Billie Eilish, Sebastian Yatra, and more. Also expect a lavish production number of the smash hit “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”  from Encanto. Top nominees include Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Jessica Chastain, Nicole Kidman, Kristen Stewart, Steven Spielberg and many more. With a Best Picture winner still in doubt from a strong field of contenders, almost anything can happen and history may be made. After Covid affected last year’s stripped down telecast you can expect the Oscars to turn up the fashion heat on the red carpet as well as Hollywood’s biggest night hopefully returns to the kind of glamour and excitement it is known for. The theme for this year is “Movie Lovers Unite” , and producer Will Packer is promising a show that delivers that message on many levels even with the sidelined categories controversy. — Pete HammondMarch 27, ABC, 5:00PM PT/8:00PM ET. Red Carpet Pre Show hosted by Vanessa Hudgens, Terrence J, & Brandon Maxwell airs 3:30PM PT/6:30 ET.

Fox’s coverage of the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards bounced back from 2021, marking the latest awards show to see some recovery in ratings.

iHeartRadio Music Awards kicked off Tuesday night, and some of music's biggest names came out to perform and accept their trophies.Celebrating the most-played artists and songs on iHeartRadio stations and app from last year, the ninth edition of the awards ceremony was a star-studded affair. Justin Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo, Karol G, Drake, Ed Sheeran, Megan Thee Stallion and Bad Bunny were among the many musical icons nominated for awards coming into the big show.This year, listeners had the chance to decide winners in several new and established categories.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorMulti-platinum-selling rapper Trippie Redd, one of the first signings to 10K Projects, has re-upped with the company in a “long-term deal that will keep him at the label for years to come,” according to the announcement.In just five years, Trippie has released four studio albums, six mixtapes, eight EPs and almost three dozen singles — not to mention countless guest appearances — adding up to 15 Platinum and 8 Gold certifications.“We launched 10K Projects as a label where artists have complete creative freedom and the support to realize their vision,” said the label’s founder and CEO, Elliot Grainge. “Trippie Redd has thrived under these conditions, releasing a lifetime’s worth of music in just five short years and becoming a singular voice in contemporary music.” Trippie Redd commented: “Elliot signed me when I was 16.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe global recorded music market grew by 18.5% in 2021, driven by growth in paid subscription streaming, according to IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry), the organization that represents the recorded music industry worldwide. Figures released Tuesday in IFPI’s Global Music Report show total revenues for 2021 were $25.9 billion.While the free version of the report does not attach numbers to all of the rankings, they’re pretty fascinating anyway:The top 10 global artists, based on “consumption across all formats and all countries, weighted based on the value of each method of consumption,” are:The top 10 global digital singles were: The top 10 all-format albums were:And, for good measure, the top-selling vinyl titles across the world were:Digging into the data, the report notes that paid subscription streaming revenues increased by 21.9% to $12.3 billion, with 523 million users of paid subscription accounts at the end of 2021.

2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards is adding even more star power to its already stacked line-up!It was announced on Monday that this year's show will feature special appearances from Olivia Rodrigo, Silk Sonic, Lil Nas X, Avril Lavigne and many more, who joined the previously announced slate of A-list performers, including Jennifer Lopez, Megan Thee Stallion, and John Legend, to name a few.Additional celebs set to make special appearances, as iHeartMedia and FOX Entertainment just announced, include Billy Porter, The Kid LAROI, David Guetta, Shaun White, All Time Low, Willow Smith, Robin Thicke, Nicole Scherzinger, Gina Torres, Oliver Hudson, Taylor Momsen, Lainey Wilson, Dove Cameron, Danica McKellar.LL Cool J, who will also be hosting the show, said he's looking forward to the big night. «It’s an honor to return to the stage as host of the iHeartRadio Music Awards and bring live music back to fans all over the world as we celebrate our favorite artists,» he shared in a previously released statement. «I have a special performance for the fans, and the show will have some great surprises throughout the night.»In addition to performing, Lopez will be honored with the prestigious 2022 iHeartRadio Icon Award, which celebrates and honors performers' «impact on pop culture, longevity and continued relevance as a touring and radio force with a loyal fan base worldwide,» according to a press release.The full list of nominees were announced back in January, and include Justin Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo, Karol G, Drake, Ed Sheeran, Megan Thee Stallion, Bad Bunny and many more.This year, listeners will have the chance to decide winners in several new and established categories.

Daddy Yankee has left fans stunned after announcing his decision to close out his music career.

The Oscars on Friday set some of the musicians who will perform on the live ABC ceremony on March 27 from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Ever since Apple Music introduced its fancy Spatial Audio streaming experience, we've longed for its magic to bless Justin Bieber's back catalogue. Oh, to hear those breathy Boyfriend vocals in Dolby Atmos. To have that She Don't Like the Lights bassline penetrating our ear canals like never before. Peaches would just be other-worldly vibes, right?

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorGrammy-nominated rapper and Variety Hitmakers cover star Jack Harlow has announced that his second major-label album, “Come Home the Kids Miss You,” will be released May 6 via Generation Now/Atlantic Records. The album will feature the single “Nail Tech,” which was released last month.Harlow talked with Variety about the album last November.

“One Mississippi” singer Kane Brown scored a leading four nominations to lead the fan-voted field for the 2022 CMT Music Awards, which will be handed out next month. Kelsea Ballerini, Mickey Guyton and first-time nominees Breland and Cody Johnson are next with three noms apiece.

2022 CMT Music Awards are almost here — and it's going to be a star-studded night!On Wednesday, CMT announced the nominees for country music's only entirely fan-voted awards show — which will be hosted live from Music City by Anthony Mackie and Kelsea Ballerini on Monday, April 11 -- and the list includes some of the biggest names in music. Kane Brown leads the pack this year with four nominations, while Ballerini, Mickey Guyton, and first-time nominees Breland and Cody Johnson earned three nods apieceThe first round of nominations for the coveted Video of the Year award includes 12 acts, spotlighting artists like Brandi Carlile, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift feat.

Singer and chef Kelis’ husband Mike Mora has sadly passed away after battling stage 4 stomach cancer. He was just 37.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorSony Music Entertainment Latin-Iberia has struck a new partnership with WK Records, the record label founded by WK Entertainment CEO-founder Walter Kolm.WKR artists include reggaeton star Alex Rose, Grammy-nominated/ Latin Grammy-winning producer-artist Foreign Teck, singer-songwriter Emilia, Argentine trap artist Seven Kayne, and Colombian artist Cheo Gallego, with more signings to be announced in the coming weeks.WKR is led by CEO and WKE head of music Horacio Rodriguez (who joined last year after 15 years at Universal Music Latin), with a pop and urban division led by WKR GM/co-founder Oscar Guitián, and a regional Mexican division led by producer-composer-executive Alberto De León, who previously held roles at Universal, Capitol Latin, Machete Music and  Fonovisa/Disa. “We have an incredible relationship with the entire WK family,” said Sony Latin-Iberia chairman-CEO Afo Verde.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe U.S. recorded-music business continues its upward swing, posting a near-record $15 billion in revenue for 2021, driven by a surge in streaming, solid vinyl and even CD sales, and the inclusion of TikTok music revenue for the first time.In fact, all major formats of music posted growth over the prior year, except digital downloads.

Dolly Parton dedicated the 57th Academy of Country Music awards to the people of Ukraine on Monday (7 March). Opening the ceremony in Las Vegas, the “9 to 5” singer, who is famously apolitical, said: “Now, I don’t want to be political and this is not. I’d rather pass a kidney stone than do that.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorMitski, the National and the Roots will headline the Pitchfork Music Festival when it returns to Chicago’s Union Park, running from Friday, July 15 through Sunday, July 17.The Festival kicks off on Friday with The National, who played Pitchfork Music Festival’s first year in 2006, Spiritualized, Parquet Courts, Tierra Whack, Amber Mark, Dawn Richard, Tkay Maidza, Indigo De Souza, Spirit of the Beehive, Spellling, Camp Cope, Wiki, Ethel Cain, and CupcakKe.The festivities continue on Saturday with Mitski, Japanese Breakfast, Lucy Dacus, Low, Magdalena Bay, Dry Cleaning, Karate, Iceage, yeule, Arooj Aftab, The Armed, Chubby & the Gang, Hyd, and Jeff Parker & the New Breed. Closing day features The Roots, Toro y Moi, Earl Sweatshirt, Noname, BadBadNotGood, Cate Le Bon, Tirzah, Xenia Rubinos, Erika de Casier, Injury Reserve, Kaina, L’Rain, Sofia Kourtesis, and Pink Siifu.“This year’s lineup is a celebration of the rising indie class, and those who continue to pave the way for innovation,” said Puja Patel, editor in chief of Pitchfork.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorTreatment toward women in the music industry has shown some improvement but has a long way to go, according to the inaugural “Women in the Mix” study from the Recording Academy, Arizona State University and Berklee College of Music Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship.According to the announcement, the report is designed to examine and better understand the experiences and socio-economic landscape of women and gender-expansive people working in the American music industry. Developed to influence advocates, allies and leaders in music to work towards a more inclusive and equitable industry, the study explores demographic characteristics, employment experiences, career challenges, job satisfaction, family decisions, and pathways into the music industry within this community.

Chris Stapleton is making a rare public appearance with his kids!